Jammu: Shamas Udin Malik, father of detained AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, was briefly hospitalised on Thursday due to weakness and stress following his son’s detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
After being discharged, Shamas Udin Malik apologised for his son’s remarks directed at the deputy commissioner and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to secure his release by dropping the PSA charges.
AAP leaders had rushed him for a medical check-up after he collapsed at his Gandhinagar residence, reportedly exhausted from days of travel and stress. “He was extremely weak and had been unwell for the past few days. We took him to the hospital as he collapsed,” said family member Aayan Malik.
Addressing the media at an AAP event, Shamas Udin Malik said, “I apologise to everyone for whatever my son has done. If his actions have caused hurt or are linked to any party, I apologise. I only want my son released.”
He urged both the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Centre to intervene. “Under LG sahib and the Delhi government, my son can be brought back. I want nothing else—just his release,” he said.
While he has not yet spoken to Mehraj Malik, Shamas Udin Malik apologised for any offensive language used by his son. “For the words he used, I apologise,” he said, referring to alleged abusive remarks towards the deputy commissioner and family.
He also described his efforts to meet officials, including the LG, stating, “I was not allowed to meet LG sahib, but I did meet CM sahib. I trust LG sahib and Modi sahib will do justice and bring him back. We humbly request the Prime Minister and LG to release him and reunite our family.”
Defending his son’s image, he said, “My son is the voice of the poor—not a thief or a goon, as some describe him. If people oppose his work, we will step back, but please bring him back. Despite being unwell and hospitalised, I am going door to door seeking his release.”
Shamas Udin Malik added that he had sent his son to the deputy commissioner to apologise, but Mehraj Malik was arrested immediately.
